“PAC 12-NEW FACES-NEW PLACES-LOAD OF QB-DEBUT YEAR”

by | Sep 4, 2026 |

Yes it has a legacy name.

No it won’t feature the legendary teams we have known for almost a century.

Yes it should be a unique year.

No it’s doubtful any of these teams would be in the running for a CFB playoff spot.

There is no USC-UCLA-Oregon-Washington.

The rivalries of yesteryear are gone forever.

There won’t be any Heisman Trophy candidates to watch.

But what will be interesting will be a wide variety of pass happy quarterbacks.

There will be a renewal of some intense rivalries.

And there will be bowl berths in both the Holiday Bowl and the Poinsettia Bowls.

So the new Pac 12 hits the field on Saturday looking for its own identity, and avoiding the concept the new league is nothing more than Mountain West 2.0.

A look at storylines heading into Week One:

AZTECS…The best offense SDSU has had in a group of years.  Returning vets like QB-Jayden Denegal, explosive RB-Lucky Sutton, and 8-deep at WR should give Sean Lewis his first opportunity to show fans the real Aztecs fast package is all about.  The opener vs Portland State-next week at UCLA.

BOISE STATE…Another year for Spencer Danielson with an explosive offense built around RBs Dylan Riley-Sire Gaines.  They open vs Oregon.

COLORADO STATE..Jim Mora debuts as the Rams head coach, with a reputation as a strong recruiter.  He brought his U-Conn QB-Ksaan Farrar with him.  CSU plays Wyoming in the 118th renewal of the Border War.  Yes a November game in September.

FRESNO..They are excited in the Valley with a 3-headed monster of RBs led by Dayshon Lake, Bryce Donelson and QB-Jayden Mandal.  The opener is vs USC.

OREGON STATE..Everything is new led by head coach J’Marcus Shepard from the SEC, and small college passing star QB-Braden Atkinson (3,596-34TD) from Mercer…Opening day vs Houston.

TEXAS STATE..The new team coming in, brings a big time throwing QB in Brad Jackson (3,968APY-36TD).  The Bobcats open with Texas.

UTAH STATE…All you need to know is the history of Bronco Mendenhall.  He wins, at BYU-Virginia.  He adds a BYU-transfer QB-McCae Hillstead.  The Aggies face Idaho State.

WASHINGTON STATE..Kirby Moore is the new coach.  The losing could be over thanks to 1AA-transfer QB-Caden Pinnick (3,206-32TD) at Cal Davis.  The Cougars face the Washington Huskies in the Apple Cup game, yes in September, not on a cold night in November.

Bring it on-let’s see what the new look-next era Pac 12 looks like.

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